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ST. PAUL, Minn. - Thomas Vanek had Minnesota high on his list from the start. Hes not the first NHL free agent to do so, and the way the Wild have been progressing he probably wont be the last. Vanek agreed Tuesday to a three-year, $19.5 million contract, giving an improving lineup a potentially prolific scorer and allowing the Austrian-born left wing to settle in an area he has made his home since college. Two summers ago, the Wild turned heads by landing left wing Zach Parise and defenceman Ryan Suter. Now theyve added another top-market free agent in Vanek, whose 277 goals are the eighth-most in the NHL since his debut nine years ago. "What intrigued me the most was obviously with Zach signing here and Suter signing here, this team is getting really good and is very good," Vanek said, adding: "Im extremely thrilled to be a part of the Wild and of a group like this." According to a person with knowledge of the contract who spoke to on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the value, Vanek will make $5.5 million this season, $6.5 million in 2014-15 and $7.5 million in 2015-16. Vanek lives with his family in Stillwater, an idyllic riverfront suburb a few miles from Xcel Energy Center. He played two seasons at the University of Minnesota before turning pro with Buffalo and called winning the national championship with the Gophers the "best thing" hes done in his hockey career. "To be a part of the Wild now and go after the big prize and having a chance to do it in Minnesota is beyond my wildest dreams," Vanek said. Vanek was the fifth overall pick by the Sabres in 2003. He had two 40-goal seasons for them, but last fall he was traded to the New York Islanders, who later dealt him to Montreal. He totalled 27 goals over 78 games with the three teams. In the playoffs with the Canadiens, he had five goals and five assists in 17 games. Vaneks production slipped at times this season, and he was even benched briefly during the post-season, but the Wild werent deterred. "It certainly wasnt my best one I can tell you that. But Ill take the blame for that," Vanek said. "Its not always easy moving around and being away from my family." Vanek will play on either the first or second line, with some combination of Parise, Jason Pominville, Charlie Coyle, Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund likely filling the other top five forward spots. Vaneks 113 power-play goals since his 2005-06 rookie season are the third-most in the NHL in that span. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Vanek has the type of finishing ability around the net the Wild have lacked. "Theres no question that we do have some skill, but we dont score goals easily," coach Mike Yeo said. Vanek turned down seven-year offers, including from the Islanders. When Pominville was traded to the Wild last year, Vanek was the one who encouraged his long-time Sabres teammate. "He loved Buffalo a lot, which I did too," Vanek said. "But I told him, Youll like it there. Theres a lot of good fans. And after a week or so, he called me and said, You know what? Youre right. I do like it here a lot." Unlike in the other major pro sports, Minnesota can be a destination market in the NHL because of its hockey roots. The addition of Parise and Suter and the Wilds advancement to the Western Conference semifinals this spring were further steps toward NHL prominence. "People recognize the talent that you have. So were getting better. Were in a good place," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. Defenceman Clayton Stoner (Anaheim), left wing Matt Moulson (Buffalo) and centre Cody McCormick (Buffalo) departed the Wild as unrestricted free agents. Others in that category not expected back are left wing Dany Heatley and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Defenceman Nate Prosser could return for the right price. The Wild also signed defenceman Stu Bickel (one year) and centre Brett Sutter (two years) to two-way contracts, adding depth with players wholl likely bounce between AHL affiliate Iowa and the parent club. The 27-year-old Sutter, the son of Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter, has played in 54 career NHL games with Calgary and Carolina. Bickel, a native of Chanhassen who played one season for the Gophers, played in 67 games for the New York Rangers over a two-year span. He spent last season in the AHL. ___ AP Sports Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, contributed to this report. Alex Gordon Jersey . - Ryan Spooner scored twice to lead the Boston Bruins to a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders in a preseason game Friday night. Cheslor Cuthbert Jersey . Blatter also told reporters Saturday after meeting with Qatars emir that the decision to award the tournament to the desert nation is "not reversible." There have been calls to move the tournament because of Qatars intense heat. http://www.royalsteamproshop.com/Royals-Wily-Peralta-Kids-Jersey/ . He even addressed his group of relievers Sunday morning. Dustin McGowan made those worries a nonfactor, at least for a day. McGowan pitched three-hit ball for seven innings, Colby Rasmus hit a grand slam and Melky Cabrera added a two-run homer as the Blue Jays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2. George Brett Jersey . And fellow Leaf, Jake Gardiner, hiking in Whistler. Ryan Goins Jersey .Y. -- First, Ryan Miller.PHOENIX - Marcell Ozuna hit a two-out, two-run home run off Addison Reed in the ninth inning to spoil a brilliant Arizona debut by Vidal Nuno and give the Miami Marlins a 2-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. Ozuna hit Reeds 2-2 pitch off the batters eye far above the 407-foot sign in straightaway centre. It was the fifth blown save in 25 tries for Reed (1-5) and the ninth home run the closer has allowed in 38 appearances. Nuno, acquired in the deal that sent Brandon McCarthy to the New York Yankees, gave up three hits, struck out a career-high seven and walked one in seven innings. He scored Arizonas only run. Mike Dunn (7-4) pitched one-third of an inning to get the victory. Steve Cishek pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save in 22 opportunities. Miamis Brad Hand allowed an unearned run and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings but failed to win as a starter for the 14th consecutive time, the third-longest active streak in the majors. Hands last victory as a starter came almost three years ago to the day, on July 7, 2011, against Houston. After Brad Ziegler pitched a scoreless eighth, Reed came on and walked Ed Lucas to start the ninth. Giancarlo Stanton struck out and Casey McGehee lined out to centre to bring up Ozuna for his game-winning heroics. The game ended when Paul Goldschmidt, the NLs starting first baseman in the All-Star Game, flied out to deep right. The Diamondbacks were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base.dddddddddddd The only Miami player to reach second against Nuno was Ozuna when he doubled with two outs in the fourth. Nuno reached when McGehee muffed a grounder, the third basemans second error and one of four by Miami. Ender Inciartis bunt single past the mound put runners at first and second with no outs. Aaron Hill followed with an RBI single. Goldschmidt grounded into a double play and, after Martin Prado walked, Cody Ross grounded out to strand the runner at third. The Diamondbacks stranded runners at second and third in the first, second and sixth innings. In the second, Nuno — not accustomed to batting because hes been in the AL — laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. But Inciarti grounded sharply to short to end the threat. Another nice sacrifice bunt by Nuno moved runners to second and third with two outs in the sixth. NOTES: Goldschmidt hit his major league-leading 34th double. ... Arizona OF Mark Trumbo, who hit a grand slam in his rehab appearance with Triple-A Reno on Monday night, is expected to join the Diamondbacks after the All-Star break. Hes been out since April 22 with a left foot stress fracture. ... In the series finale on Wednesday, the Marlins send Nathan Eovaldi (5-4, 3.75 ERA) to the mound against the Diamondbacks Josh Collmenter (7-5, 3.98). 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